Fruit & Pistachio Upside Down Cake KA

By mariannefeldman

http://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2015/02/22/let-them-eat-cake/
blogger and baker/author Gesine Bullock-Prado-Her newest book, Let Them Eat Cake, explores “classic, decadent desserts with vegan, gluten-free and healthy options.

Ingredients

• Ingredients
• for the fig layer
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (55g) dark brown sugar, packed
• 13 small fresh Mission or Calimyrna figs, stems removed, cut in half
• for the cake
• 1 cup (140g) all-purpose flour [we prefer King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, of course]
• 1/4 cup (20g) pistachio flour (finely ground pistachios)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (12 tablespoons, 170g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100g) plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/3 cup (75ml) whole milk
• to finish
• 1/4 cup (30g) roughly chopped salted pistachios

Preparation

Step 1

Figgy Pistachio Upside Down Cake
I don’t know if you love figs as much as I do. I don’t know if that’s even possible. But assuming you possess a smidge of my devotion, you’ll appreciate this elegant yet straightforward use of the fruit. In the event that you have no love in your heart for the wondrous things, you can substitute most any fruit in place of them, including pineapples, apples, mango, pears… you get the idea.

Makes one 9″ (23cm) single-layer cake


Procedure
Make the fig layer
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line the bottom of a 9″ (23cm) round cake pan with a round of parchment paper and spray the parchment and sides liberally with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the melted butter into the prepared pan. Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter and place the figs cut side down in concentric circles on top of the brown sugar.

Make the cake
In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, pistachio flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk for 30 seconds to evenly distribute the leavening.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar. Mix on high speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and orange zest and mix until just combined.

With the mixer running on low speed, add half of the flour mixture, then the milk, then the remaining flour. Mix until well combined. Gently spoon the batter over the figs and carefully spread the batter evenly with a small offset spatula. Bake until the cake is golden brown and springs back when gently poked, 45 to 60 minutes.

To finish
While the cake is still warm, turn the cake out upside down onto a platter. Sprinkle with the chopped pistachios.

Options
Vegan
For the fig layer
•Replace the butter with 2 tablespoons Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks, melted.

For the cake
•Reduce the baking powder to 1/4 teaspoon and combine it with 1 teaspoon baking soda.
•Replace the butter with 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil.
•Replace the eggs with 2 large eggs’ worth of prepared Ener-G egg replacer
•Replace the milk with 1/2 cup (120ml) orange juice and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, pistachio flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the prepared egg replacer, orange juice, oil, orange zest, vanilla, and vinegar. Whisk until the batter is smooth.

Gently smooth the batter over the figs and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the cake springs back when gently poked.

Gluten free
For the cake
Replace the flour with 3/4 cup (95g) sweet white rice flour and 1 teaspoon xanthan gum; increase the pistachio flour to 1/2 cup (40g). Reduce the milk to 1/4 cup (60ml). Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.

Healthier
For the cake
•Replace the all-purpose flour with 1 cup (120g) white whole wheat flour.
•Replace the butter with 6 tablespoons (90ml) organic grapeseed oil and 6 tablespoons (90ml) prune purée (I use organic baby food, such as Plum Organics Just Prunes).
•Replace the sugar with 1/2 cup (85g) organic granulated palm sugar.

Mix together the sugar, oil, and prune purée until well combined. Add 1/4 cup (60ml) orange juice to the milk. Continue as directed in the recipe.

tagged: book, cake, figs, gluten free, pistachio, vegan | filed un